PORTUGAL | Accommodation | Living together
Waste Management
Waste collection: Waste pick-up depends on the services rendered by each town or city. In the towns or cities where there are no waste containers, pick-up is done daily except on Saturdays. Places where there are waste containers, pick-up is done two to three times a week. Usually, waste pick-up starts at 10 p.m.
The cost for waste collection is included in the water bill and is clearly identifiable.
Recycling: In Portugal, recycling of domestic waste has increased in the last few years. Currently, such waste as glass, paper, tins, plastic and batteries are recycled. On a lower scale, other waste, such as appliances, metal objects and wood are also recycled.
In all residential areas, there are “eco-pontos verdes,” specific spots with large containers where recyclable material is placed. For each type of domestic waste, there is a container identified by a colour:
- glass is placed in the green container,
- paper is placed in the blue container,
- packaging material (plastic and tins) is placed in the yellow container,
- batteries are placed in the red container.
Depending on the amount of waste at the “eco-pontos verdes,” there is a collection of recyclable material one to three times a week. For the recycling of other waste such as appliances, metal objects, wood, clothing, etc., each City Hall has a collection service available to the public. All you have to do is call the City Hall to set a date and time for the pick-up of these materials.